Chapter 288 : Dumbledore's Army
Because Phineas still needed to attend school, someone had to manage his private forces in his absence. Lisa had handled this before, but now Phineas transferred Damon from the American branch.
Damon Bennett was a Native American wizard with a bloodline tracing back to Indigenous tribes. He excelled in America's most ancient magical traditions, able to channel ancestral power through complex spells to attack, seal, summon, and create.
After various experiences, Damon had pledged his loyalty to Phineas and now led all the wizards in the Americas under Phineas's influence. His individual strength was also considerable.
Although much time had passed since Lisa's funeral, Phineas still wasn't used to her absence.
He often found himself calling out to Damon with instructions—only to refer to him as "Lisa." Fortunately, Damon understood. He too missed Lisa. Both of them had been Phineas's closest allies: Lisa, the head of his British forces, and Damon, her counterpart in America. The two had often communicated privately.
Before her mission with Sirius, Lisa had known the risks. She had long since documented every detail of the British operation in a letter to Damon. It included stronghold locations, hidden bases, rosters of dark wizards, control mechanisms, transaction records with other organizations—everything.
She knew that if anything happened to her, Damon would inherit her responsibilities. Like her, he was loyal to Phineas.
Phineas had always believed in trusting the people he employed—and in not employing those he couldn't trust. So after Damon took over British affairs, even matters involving pure-blood families were entrusted to him. His main task was to suppress the pure-blood families that had defected to the Rich family, win over neutral families, and rebuild the Black family's status within the British wizarding world.
As for Phineas, he returned to Hogwarts, resuming his role as a student.
News of his involvement in the Parkinson family massacre had already spread. Upon returning to Hogwarts, Phineas noticed the fear in other students' eyes. Those who didn't know him well now avoided him just like in his first year—treating him like a monster.
But Phineas was no longer the anxious boy desperate for acceptance. He had his own circle now, and the fear of others no longer fazed him.
What surprised him most upon returning, however, was the offer from Umbridge—the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor he'd largely ignored.
On his first day back, Umbridge summoned him. Due to his "heroic act" of starving himself for the sake of the wizarding world, the Ministry had decided he was already qualified to pass his O.W.L. in Defense Against the Dark Arts. As such, he was exempted from further classes and free to study other subjects.
Although Umbridge's words sounded polite, Phineas could see through her. She simply didn't dare continue teaching him. Her classes were a mess, and if he attended, it would surely lead to conflict—and she lacked the courage to discipline him. Letting him skip class was the safest option.
Not long after, Hermione came to him for help.
"So, you formed a study group and want me to teach you?" Phineas asked after hearing her out.
Hermione nodded. "Yes. Professor Umbridge is terrible. We're learning nothing from her. I thought—why not learn on our own?"
Phineas raised an eyebrow. "Hermione, you're only in your second year. There's no rush. If you were in fifth year preparing for your O.W.L.s, I'd understand. But most of your classmates would rather avoid homework than study extra magic."
Hermione shook her head. "That's true for many of them. But I still think it's worthwhile. Besides... this wasn't even my idea."
Phineas blinked. "Then whose was it?"
She blushed. "Penelope Clearwater. She's the one who suggested forming a study group to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts... and she hoped you'd teach us."
Phineas frowned. "Why didn't she ask me herself?"
Penelope, a Muggle-born Ravenclaw and current sixth-year, would be sitting for her N.E.W.T.s next year. It made sense that she wanted practical knowledge. Still, grouping herself with younger students like Hermione?
Seeing his confusion, Hermione lowered her head even more. "I... sort of let it slip during a chat. I told her you were teaching Harry how to fight over the holidays."
Phineas sighed. That explained everything. Penelope wasn't after textbook theory—she wanted combat training. Understandable, especially if she hoped to become an Auror after graduation.
"In that case," he said, "she can join. I'll teach her combat techniques. In exchange, she'll help you with foundational magic. That should work."
Hermione's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"You can decide who joins. Let's meet in the Room of Requirement. Speaking of which—there's a spell I want to show you."
He took two coins from his pocket and tapped them with his wand.
"I've enchanted these coins. One displays the time and place of our next meeting. The other will update to match it. It might help you. But I suggest you look up how the spell works on your own."
Hermione looked puzzled.
Phineas smiled. "If it were Harry or Ron, I'd just teach them. But you should study it yourself—it's a fascinating enchantment with lots of potential. Learning it directly would rob you of its deeper insight."
Hermione left. A few days later, she returned, beaming. She'd already formed the group—students from all houses and years.
"You've taken steps to keep it secret, right? You know private groups are banned now."
Hermione nodded. "I had everyone sign a list. I enchanted it—if anyone betrays us to Umbridge, they'll break out in incurable acne. Only potions can cure it, slowly."
Phineas smirked. "A clever little curse. Alright—now that your group is set up, let's begin."
He walked with Hermione to the Room of Requirement, pacing three times past the door. When it opened, the room had transformed from the cozy bedroom he often used into an underground-style classroom. Torches lined the walls. There were bookshelves, spyglasses, magical detectors, and satin floor cushions instead of chairs. Titles like Common Spells and Counters, Defeating Black Magic, and Self-Defense Spell Collection filled the shelves.
"It's perfect, Phineas!" Hermione cheered, grabbing a book and sitting on the floor to read.
Phineas rolled his eyes. His bedroom had books too—yet she never touched them.
"Alright, tell them to come."
Hermione performed the coin spell again, then returned to reading. Soon, there was a knock. Luna, Astoria, and Ginny entered, greeting Phineas before joining Hermione for a chat about some popular wizarding author.
Astoria shyly approached Phineas. "Um… are you okay?"
He blinked, then smiled and tousled her hair. "I'm fine. Everything's settled."
Astoria shook his hand off. "I mean… are you still sad?"
Her face turned bright red, and she nervously fiddled with her fingers. Phineas was genuinely touched—few people ever asked about his feelings.
He laughed gently and pinched her cheek. "Don't worry. I've moved on—and I avenged her."
Astoria knocked his hand away again and scurried back to hide behind Luna. For someone so brave under fire, she could be adorably shy.
Eventually, Harry and the rest of the group arrived.
"What is this place?" Dean asked, and Phineas began explaining—only to be interrupted by more arrivals.
By eight o'clock, everyone had arrived.
Penelope approached him. "How should we organize it?"
Phineas gestured toward the younger students. "I'll teach them real-world techniques and combat magic. You'll handle the basics."
Penelope nodded, but looked at him again—clearly asking what about her own training.
"I'll teach you separately afterward," Phineas added, then blinked. How did he end up running a full-on tutoring program?
He shook his head. It was too late to back out now.
Meanwhile, Harry and the others had already decided on a structure. Phineas and Penelope had agreed not to get involved in their internal affairs.
They chose Harry as leader, with Hermione as assistant and point of contact for Phineas.
Their group had a name too: the Defense Association—D.A. for short.
It also stood for something more:
Dumbledore's Army.
Penelope smiled. "Looks like they're almost ready."
Phineas nodded. "Let's begin."